United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced that Troy Teague, former executive director of the La Posta Gaming Commission (the “commission”) pled guilty today in front of Magistrate Judge Jan Adler to embezzling $57,000 from the La Posta Band of Mission Indians.

According to court records, Teague served as executive director of the commission from 2006 to 2011. In that capacity, he was responsible for: (1) creating the commission’s budget and maintaining the commission’s books and records; (2) issuing checks on behalf of the commission; and (3) monitoring, reviewing, and making payments on all commission credit cards. Teague understood that any and all checks he issued—and all credit card charges—on the commission account could only lawfully be used for legitimate La Posta business.

Despite the fact that Teague recognized that he could not use the commission credit card or bank account for personal expenses, he used both the credit card and checking account for personal business, including (i) membership dues at a gun club; (ii) Home Depot charges; (iii) car audio/video components; (iv) vacation expenses; (v) legal fees; (vi) a grain mill; (vii) restaurant expenses, (viii) car rentals; and (ix) entertainment (e.g, comedy club bill). Teague admitted that (between June 2009 and April 2011) he embezzled a total of $57,000 from La Posta. Thereafter, he paid the tribe’s credit card bills and concealed from the commission that they in cluded his personal expenses.

“The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to doing its part to enhance security in Indian Country,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Jill Burkhardt, community outreach director and tribal liaison. “The diligent prosecution of federal crimes committed on reservations is an important complement to State and Tribal law enforcement efforts.”

U.S. Attorney Duffy praised the enforcement work by the FBI agents who diligently pieced together the full scope of the fraud. “Today’s conviction proves that Mr. Teague exploited and violated his position of trust as the executive director with the La Posta Band of Mission Indians and unjustly enriched himself at the expense of the tribe,” said Daphne Hearn, Special Agent in Charge of the San Diego FBI Field Office. “The FBI is committed to ensuring those in positions of trust are held to the highest standards and anything less will be vigorously pursued and investigated.”

Summary of ChargesOffense: Title 18, United States Code, Section 1163—embezzlement and theft from an Indian Tribal Organization Maximum penalties: five years custody; $250,000 fine; three years’ supervised release.